Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)
Mangaluru, Nov 6: The Vimala Pai Vishwa Konkani Awards 2014 were conferred on eminent personalities in a befitting ceremony held at T V Raman Pai Convention Centre here on Thursday November 6.
The Vimala V Pai Vishwa Konkani Lifetime Achievment Award was bestowed on Fr Mark Waldar (75), former editor of Raknno Konkani Weekly, while the Best Konkani Sahitya Puraskar was presented to veteran Konkani writer Edwin J F D'Souza, Mangalore, for his work 'Kallem Bhangaar', and the Best Konkani Kavitha Krithi Puraskar was conferred on renowned Konkani poet Sanjiv Verenkar, Goa, for his poetry collection 'Aswasth Surya'.
Mandarke Madhav Pai was honoured with the Basti Vaman Shenoy Seva Puraskar for his contribution to Konkani language, old Kannada Vachana Sahitya and Konkani translation.
Dr Meena R Chandavarkar, vice-chancellor of Karnataka State Women’s University, Bijapur was awarded with the Basti Vaman Shenoy Seva Puraskar for her contribution to the education sector.
Each of these 5 awards consisted of Rs 1 lac cash with citation, shawl and memento.
Fr Francis Rodrigues, editor of Raknno, while introducing Fr Mark Waldar said that the name 'Mark' could be elaborated as M for Master, A for Active, R for Relationship and K for Konkani.
Speaking after recieving the award, Fr Mark Waldar said, "I thank Vishwa Konkani Kendra for choosing me for this award. I would like to thank all the people who helped in the past when I was actively working with Raknno. All the Konkani writers need to be supported and encouraged. Let us work together and fly the Konkani flag high forever."
'Volaru', a Konkani dance drama was presented by Goshree Kala Sangha, Kochi on the occasion.
The event began with invocation to God. Basti Vaman Shenoy, founder president of Vishwa Konkani Kendra extended a floral welcome to the guests.
Eminent Kannada novelist Dr N Balasubramanya, Vasanthi R Pai Manipal, Vimala V Pai, T V Mohandas Pai, Venkatesh Baliga, Ramesh Pai and others were present.